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Volume 9
Climate Change Summit 2018
Journal of Earth Science & Climate Change | ISSN : 2157-7617
November 19-20, 2018 Paris, France
6
th
Global summit on
Climate Change
An assessment into the effects of climate change on smallholder farmers of Chivi district in Masvingo, Zimbabwe
Tafadzwa Musakanya
Mutare Polytechnic College, Zimbabwe
T
his study was discussed about the findings of the research that was carried out in Chivi district of Masvingo, Zimbabwe among
predominantly smallholder farmers. The main aim of the research was to assess climate change impacts and adaptation policies used.
These farmers are vulnerable to the effects of climate change due to marginal location, low levels of technology and lack of essential
farming know-how and technology. The researcher used information from interviews of agricultural extension officers, desk based research,
literature review and questionnaire surveys administered to smallholder farmers. The majority of the farmers indicated that prolonged heat
wave, hot and dry weather conditions causes hunger and starvation. Some specific impacts of these conditions include crop damage, soil
erosion, poor plant germination, pests, lower incomes and reduced yields leading to food insecurity. Some farmers professed ignorance
about climate change and how it will affect future farming. Other farmers pointed out high frequency of floods, drought, precipitation
with hailstorms, drying up of rivers, dams and wells, changes in timing and pattern of seasons as evidence of climate change. Suggested
climate change strategies include: strengthening and improving indigenous land and water management practices, use of decision support
tools such as seasonal weather forecast data, growing resistant small grains and conservation farming. It is therefore concluded that there
is need to educate farmers about climate change and design adaptation strategies. There is also needing to avail agricultural research
results relevant to the smallholder farmers and train them on how to use the results to make informed on-farm investment decisions.
J Earth Sci Clim Change 2018, Volume:9
DOI: 10.4172/2157-7617-C5-052